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October 5, 2006 Hortiscope
Q: Is there any way to keep a flowering crab from producing apples? It's a good looking yard tree, but I absolutely despise all those useless, little, messy apples in my yard. (Rothsay, Minn.)
Q: I was curious to know if mowing in different directions each time is necessary. (e-mail reference)
Q: We have a massive infestation of crab grass in our lawn. We had someone come to look at it and were advised to treat it with a pre-emergence in the spring. However, we are wondering if there is something we could do now to prevent it from spreading further or to at least prevent it from transferring nutrients to the roots. Thanks for any help you can give us. (Jamestown, N.D.)
Q: I planted cannas in large containers in front of my house. They gave me a very nice show of foliage and flowers this summer. I would like to replant them next year under the same conditions. When should I cut off the foliage and how should I try to preserve the rhizomes for use next year? Do I wait for a hard frost and then cut the plants down or stop watering and wait for them to dry off? Thank you. (Bismarck, N.D.)
Q: We have cleared some chokecherry trees from a lakeside steep and rocky hill. We would like some recommendations on what low-growing ground cover we could plant now or in the spring. It is a south-facing hillside at Spiritwood Lake, which is near Jamestown. I called the Extension office here and he suggested creeping junipers, but also said I should contact you because you have more ideas about ground cover. It is a large, rocky area. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thank you. (e-mail reference)
Q: After reading your column on the subject, I noticed what looks like cottony maple scale on our linden trees. This is the first time I've noticed it. The trees were planted on our boulevard more than 10 years ago, so the trees are large. Would the same form of treatment be recommended? Where do I find Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control? Does the cottony scale kill the tree if left untreated? We have one in the row that looks yellowish and is not as full of leaves as the others, but I could not find evidence of the scale on it. (Milnor, N.D.)
Q: What can a homeowner use to prevent white grubs in their garden? The homeowner’s potatoes have been chomped on by grubs. I also found the little buggers when I dug some of my potatoes. (Forman, N.D.)
Q: I would like some advice about what kind of trees we should plant on our property. We have had to take out many old elm and ash trees. We have come to appreciate the box elders. Does anyone plant them anymore? Last fall we planted two oak trees. They are doing well, but it seems wise to plant another variety. Native trees make sense, but we'd be open to other varieties that would do well. Thanks. I always read your columns and appreciate your advice. (e-mail reference)
Q: I put in a row of simplicity roses last year. I covered the root area with flax straw just before freeze-up and uncovered the plants in the spring. I mulched with bark. Do I need to use the flax straw again or would they be fine just using mulch? This fall I've noticed black spots on the leaves and some light gray to white discoloration. I thought the problem might be black spot and mildew, so I cut away the affected leaves and stems and burned it. Then I sprayed with Daconil. I see by your column that I should not have sprinkled it right on the plants. Someone told me that roses need lots of water and it's good to keep the plants and soil damp, but water early in the day. (Munich, N.D.)
Q: I was reading your
page on chokecherry trees, but still have a question. I need to clear
some of the trees. Is chokecherry wood good for anything, such as furniture
or tables, or is firewood the best option? From what I have been able
to gather, it seems to be a very hard wood.
Q: I bought a fern-looking plant called multi majesty. Now it has a strong, thin veil of web spread across the majority of leaves. The plant also has a large amount of tiny orange bugs. I think the bugs are spider mites. Is there a way to kill the bugs without killing the plant? So far the only suggestions have been to use very rare and pricey miticides or high water pressure. Do you have any suggestions? (e-mail reference)
Q: What is the best way to prep for sod? When is the best time to put it down? We also have a lot of monster squirrels that have been digging in the yard. Any suggestions on how to stop them from digging up the new sod? (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Q: My wife has been picking nightshade berries from a plant that grew in our flower bed. I have no idea where it came from. Are the berries edible? I have heard many stories that they are poisonous. My wife claims her mother made jelly from the berries. I read your column every week, so I trust your answer. Keep up the good work. (Rothsay, Minn.)
Q: Last summer I received a fall fiesta maple tree as a gift. I planted it about 5 feet from the lake shore as a replacement to a large, diseased elm tree that had to be cut down. When I planted it, I used tree fertilizer and fertilized again early this summer. This year, some of the branches never leafed out. Most of the leaves it does have are irregular-shaped and have rust-colored spots. What is the problem and what can I do to solve it? (Pelican Rapids, Minn.)
Q: I am a 1997 alumni of NDSU. I now live in the Black Hills about five miles from Sturgis, S.D. It is a mountain area with big pine trees and soil that has lots of sandstone rocks. I have a retaining wall that is made out of railroad ties. I want to cover up the ties with some sort of ivy or vine. I was thinking I could attach lattice or chicken wire to the wall and then plant some ivy and vines at the base. Some parts of the wall get lots of sun and other parts get light at certain parts of the day. Can you help me out with a vine that will grow fast, has a long yearly life and spreads out a lot? (e-mail reference)
### Source: Ron
Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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